Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the safety measures specific to COVID-19?
Public health authorities issued the four guidelines below on May 21, 2020. If these guidelines were to change, we will send you an updated version of this document with the new guidelines.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING:
Participants must stay at least 1.5 metres* apart and the site must be organized in such a way that makes it possible for everyone to keep this distance between each other.
* We are following the latest guidelines issued by Montréal’s regional director of public health. These guidelines may change over the summer, and we will change how we operate accordingly.

Parent responsibility: Follow the camp’s new arrival and departure procedures. Change to the routine and camper on their own: Talk about the different measures that are described this guide with your child to better prepare them for their time with us this summer.

Measures taken at day camp: Remind campers every day of safety and hygiene measures; organize outdoor and indoor space in a fun and safe way that makes distancing possible; make sure that each activity follows distancing guidelines and offer a friendly environment. On the first day of each week, Day Camp participants will be given a personal activity kit (scissors, markers, crayons, etc.) These items will remain at camp and will be the property of the camper for their duration at camp.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
Conduct all activities outdoors whenever possible and limit the use of indoor facilities to when it rains or during heatwaves only, while ensuring that rooms are below full capacity to follow physical distancing guidelines.

Parent responsibility: Make sure that your child brings items to camp that will allow them to fully enjoy their day and that are for their personal use only.

Measures taken at day camp: Plan and lead stimulating and rewarding activities in outdoor areas. Weather permitting, most Day Camp activities will be held outdoors. This includes games, sports, arts, and lunch/snack periods.

LIMITED PHYSICAL CONTACT:
Reduce direct and indirect contact between people as much as possible, namely by limiting activities and games that require participants to share supplies or equipment that have not been disinfected (balls, crayons, etc.).

Parent responsibility: Remind your child that they will need to change how they greet people, cheer people on, get the counsellor’s or other participants’ attention, and play some of their favorite games this summer. They will still have fun, but they need to be ready to try something new!

Measures taken at day camp: Set up visual markers encouraging physical distancing that people of all ages can understand; organize fun contact-free activities; make sure that the camp spirit that unites us is still alive, although it will be a little different this summer.

HYGIENE MEASURES:
Rigorously apply hygiene practices, including cleaning and disinfecting rooms, materials, furniture and washrooms, and ensure participants and staff members are adhering to good personal hygiene practices such as handwashing.

Parent responsibility: Teach and practice good handwashing techniques AND cough etiquette at home; wash hands every morning before coming to camp and every evening when returning from camp.

Measures taken at day camp: The Aquatic and Community Center Blue Collar workers will perform periodic daily cleaning of camp facilities and washrooms and a nightly deep clean of facilities and equipment. Handwashing stations will be installed at the ACC (Aquatic and Community Centre) entrances. Handwashing or using hand sanitizer before entering each facility will be mandatory. As well, regular handwashing will be needed from all Day Camp participants and staff. Logbooks of cleaning procedures, handwashing, and other hygiene measures will be kept daily.

6. What do I do if my child loses something at camp?

For health and safety reasons and as a result of the volume of lost items, lost and found items will be kept at camp only during the summer in which it was lost. Friendly reminder, please do not bring any valuables or electronics to camp. We will provide the park leaders with large zip lock bags for small items, and they will date the bag and put the item in a bin. Every pick-up and drop-off, a table will be put out or clothesline will be hung with the large objects and the ziplocked bags outside so parents can see the items, and only a designated staff will be able to touch the items while wearing gloves.

7. What qualifications do your staff members have?

The Côte Saint-Luc Day Camp staff members are chosen for their (capacity) for strong leadership skills and the ability to care for their campers. We carefully select staff members for their interest in working with children and their camping and recreation experience. All our senior counsellors are over 18 years of age. Our staff members know the importance of a safe environment, and how to make things fun and challenging. Our team receives more than 40 hours of training, which teaches them the personal skills and knowledge they need to make sure your child’s experience is positive, safe and fun. All CSL Day Camp staff members hold a valid standard first aid & CPR certificate, and are subject to a background check.

8. Can I meet the camp staff before camp starts?
Before camp starts, we will be hosting a day camp Parent Night on Zoom, on June 23 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. We will have other meetings throughout the summer, as necessary. Do not hesitate to join the day camp management team through email: daycamp@cotesaintluc.org or on

Facebook: facebook.com/csldaycamps.

We will use Facebook it to post useful information throughout the summer and it will be a good place to chat with our team.

2. What is the policy for isolating and reintegrating campers who have developed COVID-19 symptoms at home or who have come into contact with someone with symptoms?

If a camper has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate and must not come to camp.
A camper who has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 (probable or confirmed case) must follow public health guidelines; they must not come to camp.

If a camper has not travelled abroad but they have a fever or cold or flu symptoms (fever and cough with a headache, fatigue, achiness, etc.), they must wait at least 48 hours after the symptoms have disappeared to return to camp. With a negative COIVD molecular test. For any other condition, our usual health guidelines apply (e.g., a camper does not have to stay home if they have seasonal allergies).

A camper may be turned away from camp if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or if a member of their household has symptoms of COVID-19. The goal is not to exclude the camper, but to keep everyone safe!

If you have any concerns, contact the Direction de la santé publique at 1-877-644-4545.

3. What happens if a child develops symptoms of COVID-19 during their day at camp?

If a camper develops symptoms of COVID-19 ((new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, temperature equal to or over 38°C, feeling feverish, chills, fatigue or weakness, muscle or body aches, new loss of smell or taste, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting), feeling very unwell) they will be placed away from the groups, assessed by the camp coordinator, and their family will be contacted immediately. The family will have promptly pick up their child from camp. Following a diagnosis, additional directives will be issued.

The staff member who will accompany the camper will wear personal protective equipment (mask, visor, gloves), and will bring the camper to the entrance when their parent or guardian has come to pick them up. The parent must not enter the camp site.
We will contact the regional public health director, who will tell us how to proceed, including possibly welcoming back the camper to camp. When they get home, the parent must call

1-877-644-4545 to see what recommendations they should follow with regards to their child.

For any questions related to COVID-19, call 1-877-644-4545.

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4. What will happen if my child has other symptoms of illness?
If a camper has one or more of the following symptoms, they will not be allowed to stay at camp:

∞A temperature above 38˚C
∞Diarrhea or vomiting
∞Paleness, blotchiness, rash or physical pain

We will inform you of any changes in your child’s health during their stay at camp. If they are showing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you will be required to promptly come pick them up.

5. What is the procedure for lice or other contagious illnesses?

If, during the camp day, it is discovered that a child has lice or other contagious illnesses, parents will be asked to pick up their child as soon as possible. To prevent it from spreading at camp, parents must follow the treatment recommendations before their child can return to camp. We can turn the camper away if there is any evidence of lice, nits or worms, even after treatment.

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9. What does my child need to bring to camp?

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A: Campers need the following items: 

• Swimsuit and towel 

• Running shoes 

• Lunch and snacks 

• Water bottle 

• Sunscreen 

• Extra set of clothes 

  

Please label all items with your camper’s first and 

last name. 

 
 

10. Can my child bring personal belongings to camp? 

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A: Côte Saint-Luc is not responsible for any items a child loses at camp. Please leave all valuables at home including electronic devices such as iPods, cell phones, gaming systems and digital cameras. 

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11. Can my child travel to and from camp on their own? 

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A: Your child's safety is very important to us. 

Children who are authorized to leave camp without a parent or guardian must have a specific form filled out and/or written permission which will be given to the Park Leader. 

  

With written permission, the CITs are allowed to sign in and out on their own. We will follow up with a phone call if an expected CIT has not arrived at camp. 

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12. What should I send for lunch? 

A: Please ensure your child comes to camp with 

at  least  two  snacks  and  a  hearty  lunch  to ensure that they are fueled for the day! When you plan your child’s lunch, please keep in mind that there are no refrigerators or microwave ovens at camp. Ice packs are recommended. Lunches and snacks must be Peanut Free.  

 
 

13. How do I protect my child from the sun? 

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A: The best way to ensure children are protected from the sun is teaching them how to apply sunscreen and to wear a hat at all times when outdoors. Make sure you apply sunscreen to your  children  each  day  before  arriving  at camp.  Please send  sunscreen  labelled  with your child’s name to camp and the staff will remind  them  to  reapply  throughout  the day and after water-related activities. 

*Note: sunscreen cannot be shared amongst campers.